LEGACY LEADERSHIP IN ACTION
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Legacy Leadership in Action
How Leadership Greater Rochester is Shaping the Community’s Future
WRITTEN BY: MAURA KELLER
In the dynamic and growing Rochester region, leadership is not just about professional advancement, it's about service, collaboration, and long-term impact. For nearly four decades, Leadership Greater Rochester (LGR) has served as a cornerstone program for cultivating leaders who are deeply connected to the community and committed to its future. Since its inception in 1987, Leadership Greater Rochester has been a comprehensive, 10-month leadership development program designed to prepare emerging and established professionals for greater civic and community engagement. Created by the Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce, the program's mission is to develop informed, connected leaders who will contribute to the long-term vitality of the greater Rochester area. Participants gain a deep understanding of the region through a robust curriculum that explores economic development, workforce trends, healthcare, the arts, sustainability, and more. Behind-the-scenes tours, expert-led discussions, and direct interaction with community leaders provide a level of insight that few programs can match. Through immersive learning experiences and hands-on projects, LGR equips participants with the tools, insights, and relationships needed to lead effectively. At the heart of the program lies a defining feature: the Community Impact Project (CIP) , where leadership theory meets real-world application.
Each year, participants collaborate to identify a pressing community need and design a project that addresses it in a meaningful and sustainable way. The CIP challenges participants to apply their leadership skills in a real-world setting – assessing data, engaging stakeholders, building partnerships, and executing a project that balances creativity with practicality. As Jonathon Krull, Vice President of Public Affairs at the Chamber, explains, “No two CIPs are alike, but each must be desirable, doable, scalable, and sustainable. Some projects come to fruition within the LGR year, while others take time to be fully realized. What matters most is the experience, how participants challenge themselves and grow as leaders, while working to make a positive impact in the community.” Over the years, LGR cohorts have tackled a wide range of initiatives, from recreational spaces and wellness programs to literacy and communication tools, each reflecting the evolving needs of the Rochester community. The following examples illustrate how these community impact projects come to life, spotlighting efforts such as the Communications Stations, Elevate Wellness, the Thrive Outside Winter Activities Trailer, and the Rochester Mini Library Program.
4 | ROCHESTER AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ADVANTAGE MAGAZINE — JUNE 2026
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